A dental exam uncovers undetected hypothyroidism in a 13-year-old girl

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It’s one thing to read the list of over 300 hypothyroidism symptoms, but it’s another thing to see actual photos of the symptoms. When people dismiss your thyroid symptoms as all in your head as if they are imaginary symptoms you’ve made up in your mind (like anyone would make up these horrible symptoms), remember this: hypothyroidism can rear its ugly head in any part of the body. And that includes the mouth.

Hypothyroidism symptoms obvious in photos

A case study titled “Undetected hypothyroidism: A rare dental diagnosis” was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in 2014. A 13-year-old girl came to the out-patient Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology in India with maligned teeth as the chief complaint. However, she presented with these obvious physical symptoms of hypothyroidism that had gone undetected. The dental plans were put on hold until a complete medical evaluation was performed.

Overweight (she gained abnormal weight after 9 years of age)

Short stature

Hoarseness of voice

Dry, cool skin

Stubby hands

Poor muscle tone

Puffy face

Broad, flat nose

Thick lips

Overweight, short-stature

Stubby hands

Puffy face; broad, flat nose and thick lips

Thick lips, macroglossia (large tongue) and spacing between incisors

Large, protruding tongue

Delayed shedding of deciduous teeth (baby teeth)

Delayed eruption of permanent teeth

Malocclusion (misaligned bite)

Over-retained deciduous canine

First and second molars in all four quadrants of the jaw

Only central and lateral permanent insiders and first permeant molars were erupted in all four quadrants

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Dana Trentini B.S. summa cum laude, M.A., Ed.M., founded Hypothyroid Mom October 2012 in memory of the unborn baby she lost to hypothyroidism. This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for consulting your physician regarding medical advice pertaining to your health. Hypothyroid Mom includes affiliate links including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Connect with Dana on Google+

Comments

I am planning to have my daughter checked for hypothyroidism after speaking with a friend about my suspicions. She had her daughter treated at 14 after years of trying to get her treated by doctors who would not treat her based on symptoms but blood work. She recommended your blog as well as doctors in the area. My daughter is 7 now and her incisors came in separated and crooked. She is overweight constipated, has poor muscle tone, tit a easily, gets cold in the pool and would turn purple as a toddler, has a protruding abdomen, pudgy slightly stubby hands, breasts, big lips, a tongue tie with tongue thrusting(which we also plan to have released next month), SPD and had a funnel chest(conclave chest). All of these symptoms I was searching for, especially of her pudgy hands as a toddler, finally are making sense. I can not wait for the doctor’s office to call me back to schedule her an appointment! It has been disheartening and worrisome to look at her and just think that something is not normal. Thank you so much for posting this!

My daughter ended up having high rT3 and high thyroid antibodies at 7 years old. Doctor wants to get to the underlying cause so waiting on medication. I am not sure if that is the best route but at least we are starting to get somewhere. Thanks for all you do with your website!